I'm a Film Commissioner, Long Island International Film Expo Director, novelist, freelancer, ghost writer, casting director and producer. I don't know what lies ahead, but I'm sure it will be fun! Take my hand; join me on my journey.
"With regard to jobs and locations postings; Although I've worked with many of these people/companies before - please be advised that you contact them at your own risk and need to vet them for yourself. Caveat Emptor."

Friday, November 12, 2010

Nassau County Film Office Director Debra Markowitz with Henry "The Fonz" Winkler at Royal Pains set in Nassau.

Short film needs to find a comedienne who can look fortyish. Must be willing to wear a mudpack? Will be shot in one day(probably Baldwin) - no pay, on HD video. We have the male lead, DP and cameraman. Youtube clips or head shots would be helpful. Please send resume and/or youtube link to Bob at bob@luminescecity.com.

The next Filmmakers Connection Meeting will be held on Monday (Yes, that’s a Monday), November 15, 2010 at 7:00 pm in Room 303 of Five Towns College in Dix Hills, NY 11746. The speaker is Elias Plagianos. Born in Brooklyn, Elias grew up in Rockland County, New York where he got his start in showbiz starring in and producing "Fried Cheese", a quirky public access TV series, when he was only 15 years old. Elias has since produced, written and directed several multimedia projects ranging from "The Iceland Experience", a DVD documentary on the icelandic indie music scene, to "Redskins Revenge", an award-winning horror short film and comic book.Determined to bring his unique style of filmmaking to the big screen, Elias spent 6 years developing his feature film debut "The Crimson Mask", which had it's International premiere at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival and has won over 35 awards around the world including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor. Bring your headshots!!

Donna McKenna will be collecting canned foods for the local foods banks – so please bring in some canned food for the needy. Please check the expiration dates – no expired food can be accepted. Thank you for understanding.

AND from Doug LeClaire of the Asbury Shorts Film ConcertANNOUNCINGDiscount for Filmmakers Connection Members when they show their cards!!!!Asbury Shorts NY 30th Anniversary"SHORT FILM CONCERT" Guest Host: Debra Markowitz of the Nassau County Film Office and the Long Island International Film ExpoSaturday November 13, 2010Glenwood School--Glenwood Landing, Nassau County, LI7:30pm$12 general admission $10 for seniors and Filmmakers Connection Member when they present their cards!!!An Evening of the best short films in the world!!www.glenwood-arts.org718-510-6929Hope to see you there! Doug LeClaire

Thehe Long Island International Film Expo (LIIFE) is now accepting films for consideration for the 2011 festival. Get in on the deeply discounted early bird submissions until February 18 at http://liifilmexpo.org/ or www.longislandfilm.com The 14th annual LIIFE will be held from July 8 – 14, 2011, with the closing party on Thursday, July 14. Details tba.

If you’re interested in finding out up-to-the-minute information on film jobs that I hear about (both cast and crew) or locations needed for film/tv/commercials, plus other film related information (or my own personal musings), check www.debramarkowitz.blogspot.com You can also sign up for our twitter account below, and I will tweet whenever I have anything film-related of interest. Let’s keep the work here!! If you are a filmmaker/casting person who knows of any positions, I can post those for you as well. Please e-mail me details: Union or nonUnion, personnel needed, whether it’s a paid position, when, where and what. Thank you.

If you had a film in the Long Island International Film Expo and have received a distribution deal (DVD, theatrical, and/or television), please send us a blurb and a link, and we’ll promote it for you on the Long Island International Film Expo facebook site.

If you have a home in Nassau County and would like to list it as a possible location for film/tv/commercial production, please contact debfilm@aol.com or call 516 571-3168.

If you have a business, service, or headshot you would like to bring to the attention of the dedicated audience that visits LongIslandFilm.com – consider placing a banner ad. They are quite reasonable this year, and could easily double in price by next year. If you sign up shortly, you will have your ad shown in random rotation for an entire year. Small banner ads are $150 – (120 x 60 pixels). Large banner ads are $300 (468 x 60 pixels). If interested, please e-mail your banner ad in the appropriate amount of pixels to debfilm@aol.com. Please include the URL you would like your ad to be connected to. You can pay by check to LIFTF, or by PalPay under “The Foundation” and then “Donations.” Just let us know when you send in your banner ad. You can now pay for your membership to the Filmmakers Connection through PayPal on the www.LongIslandFilm.com website. Please be sure to include your name, address, phone #, e-mail address, which area of the film industry you are involved in (ex. Writer/director/producer) and whether or not you are already getting this newsletter by e-mail. Cost is $30 per year fee. If you are a student with current ID, it is $15 to join.)

If you would like to become a member (or renew your membership) of the Filmmakers Connection, please send $30, made out to the LIFTF to the Long Island Film/TV Foundation, c/o Bellmore Movies, 222 Pettit Avenue, Side Entrance, Bellmore, NY 11710. You may also pay at the meetings. The $30 membership fee entitles you to attend the Filmmakers Connection meetings for free. It also entitles you to discounts on Foundation functions such as the Long Island International Film Expo, the Awards Ceremony party, all mailings and newsletters, and (if all other criteria is met) a chance at winning the $1,000/$500 Finishing Fund Grant. (When you send in your $30, please be sure to include your name, address, phone number, e-mail address and how you are involved with the film industry, i.e. director, producer, voice overs, etc.) and whether you are already getting this newsletter by e-mail. If you are a student with appropriate college/high school ID, the cost is $15 to join for the year. If you do not join, you can still attend meetings for free.

Please be advised that the Foundation/Film Commissions/Film Offices are not responsible for speaker cancellations. Every effort will be taken to insure a speaker’s availability on the date mentioned. In case of a cancellation, every effort will be made to book an alternate speaker.

For information on the Long Island Film/TV Foundation contact Robert Hansen at 516 707-2237. For information about the Long Island International Film Expo, please contact Debra Markowitz at 516 571-3168.

Naked in the Rain

About Me

Debra Markowitz is the Director of the Nassau County Film Office. In this capacity, Ms. Markowitz presides over the Nassau County Film Commission, now known as the Nassau County Film Advisory Board, and chairs as its Executive Director.
Ms. Markowitz also serves as Vice President of the Long Island Film/TV Foundation, Long Island’s most established and largest not-for-profit agency dedicated to the support and promotion of independent filmmaking. She also helped found the Long Island International Film Expo (LIIFE).
Debra Markowitz is also a freelance writer and novelist. The third book in her trilogy (following Naked in the Rain and Sarah and Caleb), Karmic Wind is set for release in 2013. For a complete list of her work, please visit her site, www.debramarkowitz.com.
An enthusiastic fellow filmmaker, Ms. Markowitz has acted as Casting Director, consultant, writer and producer on movie, television and commercial projects individually and with CastingKarma.
Debra Markowitz is also an avid yoga practitioner.